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Asheville Christian Academy volleyball moves one game away from state title

Highlights from Asheville Christian Academy's state semifinal game against Caldwell Academy on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017.

Asheville Christian Academy’s volleyball team has moved one game away from perfection and a state title.

The No. 2 seeded Lions defeated No. 3 Caldwell Academy 25-23, 25-22, 23-25, 25-17 in the NCISAA state semifinal Tuesday night at Asheville Christian to advance to Saturday’s state final at noon against Arendell Parrott Academy at Wesleyan Christian.

“Oh my gosh, this is so awesome,” senior Harvard commit Kate Condra said while getting mobbed by a passionate ACA student section moments after the win. “I’m so proud of this team and how we’ve come together. I love these girls and our coaches. We’re ready to finish this.”

The win pushed ACA’s overall record to 26-0, a win away from a perfect season and a perfect ending. Their defeat of Caldwell Academy avenges a loss to the Eagles in the last two NCISAA semifinal matches.

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Asheville Christian Academy libero Sophie Whalen leaps into the air to celebrate a point during the Lions' NCISAA-2A State semifinal game against Caldwell Christian Academy on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017. The Lions defeated the Eagles 25-23, 25-22, 23-25, 25-17.(Photo: Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com)

“We’re not striving for perfection,” coach Torri Render said. “But I’m so proud these girls get to finish off the season in this way.”

The Lions fought back from large deficits in the opening two sets, erasing a 17-11 Caldwell lead in the first and trailed 19-14 in the second. Both times ACA rallied to take the lead and the set win.

“I just felt like we kept playing like we were digging ourselves out of a hole,” Render said. “But we kept fighting back. I told them in the huddle that they (Caldwell) would come back strong in the third set.

The Eagles won the third set 25-23, but ACA bounced back and took an early lead, 13-8, in the fourth set. They extended that lead to 19-12 behind kills from Chloe Davis and Condra and closed out the win 25-17.

The fans in the ACA gym erupted in celebration as their team celebrated the win.

“We’ve got one more to go,” Render said. “I’m just really excited for the girls.”